Key Takeaways from the ISW: US President Donald Trump stated that the United States will grant Ukraine a license to produce an unspecified type of interceptor missile for Patriot air defense systems, which are critical for Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces are intensifying strikes against Russian fuel tankers as Russia increasingly relies on seaborne transportation of gasoline to occupied Crimea from Russia. Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure and military assets deep into Russia on July 7 and 8. Ukrainian forces conducted a second phase of Operation Auchan in June 2026 aimed at disrupting Russian offensive capabilities, specifically targeting Russian artillery. Ukraine’s Western partn